Healthy Swaps for Your Favorite Junk Food
By Sara Butler
Even organic sugar is sugar -- you just can’t get around that fact. Too much salt isn’t that great for you either, no matter how it’s labeled. Junk foods hold a special place in the heart of many people, even those who are well aware of its unhealthy side effects. But man (and woman) can’t exist on kale smoothies alone, especially when you’re trying to give up that cupcake habit. Fortunately, finding suitable, healthy replacements for your favorite junk food snacks isn’t as tough as you think. Here are some ideas to get you started!
Cookies
Cookies probably remind you of being in the kitchen with your mom after school or getting ready for the holidays. They evoke happy memories and are tasty to boot!
The key to replacing this treat in your diet is to look at ingredients. Steer clear of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and high fructose corn syrup. But still, remember that cookies should be regarded as something you indulge in every once in a while.
Sugary Cereals
Cereal is go-to for most people too exhausted to fix dinner when they get home from work, and that’s OK. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that just because milk is involved and it’s fortified with vitamins and minerals that it’s not just junk food – because it is. The sugar content in many bowls of cereal is very high, so you have to be careful.
So you’re not ready to go for the 100 percent fiber cereal your grandmother eats just yet – that’s perfectly fine. But you should look for cereal with whole grains and fiber that is not highly processed. Also stay away from artificial colors and fructose, no matter how educational the back of the box is.
Fruit Snacks and Gummy Bears
Even adults like the occasional fruit snack or gummy bear to satisfy their sweet tooth. They are also fat-free! But that doesn’t mean a whole lot when it comes to eating healthy because these little buggers are packed with sugar.
Instead of swearing them off for you and your family, try something organic that is made with real fruit. Also look at the nutrition information and choose something that packs a punch of Vitamin C; then you know you’re really getting the good stuff.
Eating better doesn't have to be difficult. And who knows? You may like healthier food more!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.